Director of Youth Development NHL Diversity™
by NHL | October 11, 2004
Do you have a question about hockey? About skills? About the game? Meet our expert: Willie O’Ree! You can send Willie e-mail right here: nhlkids@nhl.com.

 

Hello my name is ryan and i was wondering if you could give some tips on how sergie fedorov has so much speed when on the ice and if you could give me some tips on how to improve my skatin speed thanks alot!

 

Hi Ryan:
Sergei Federov probably started skating at an early age and practiced very hard. Skating to some players comes easy but others have to work really hard to become proficient. You need to practice your skating both forward and backward every chance you get.

 

 

Hi Willie,
I'm 10 turning 11 so I'll be playing my 1st year of Peewee this year.Last season I played center on the atom A team but the year before that I played defence. My problem is that I dont know what position to play this year since I like both of them. My dad said that I should improve my shot from the point if I want to play defence and I have. I skate really well both ways. So?
Lee
Sergei Federov is one of the Mightiest Ducks

 

Hi Lee:
What position do you really enjoy playing? I know it's tough trying to decide but you must make a choice. Your dad's advice is very good, you need a good shot if you want to play defense. Talk to your coach and see what position you would be most valuable at. We all make mistakes, what's important is learning from them.

 

 

Hi, I have a huge problem taking low shots. Everytime I shoot it is over the net I even tried shooting lower on the stick but it hits the goalies helmet even though I'm the leading goal scorer because of easy breakaways in the B-League.
Rob

 

Hi Rob:
To keep the puck low, you need to cup your stick over the puck and when you shoot, follow through but keep your stick low below the waist. Practice as much as you can and I'm sure your shooting will improve.

 

 

Dear Mr. Oree
I'm 10years old,and I have been playing street hockey since i was 5 years old,and now i have found an ice hockey league that i can play in,but my mom says no because im a girl.can you help me?
Brittney 10

 

Hi Brittney:
Explain to your mother that there are many girls your age playing hockey. Explain to her exactly why you want to play so badly and perhaps suggest that she let you try it out for a short time - just to give it a chance. If she refuses, then you should try to understand her reasonings WHY she thinks girls shouldn't play. Above all else, it's important to respect your parents wishes. Good luck!

 

 

I am Jake and my parents say I have leadership qualities because my Dad is a pastor how do I get my hockey team to look at me as a leader?

 

Hi Jake:
One of the best known leaders on the ice - Steve Yzerman
Don't worry about your teammates looking on you as a leader. Go out and play the game and have fun. They will notice your leadership qualities by your actions. Have faith in what you want to accomplish.

 

 

Hi Willie,
I play a version of hockey in my backyard, with gardening pads, a baseball glove, a hockey stick, a hockey net, a bouncy ball, and a real hockey blocker. Whenever a goal goes in, I get really down on myself and I force more practice time. After a while, it gets really tiring. How do I stop getting so down on myself?
From, Max Cekota, 11

 

Hi Max:
Remember hockey is a fun sport. You are going to get scored on so don't be so hard on yourself. The best professional goalies get scored on and lose games every week! Each time you have an opportunity, just try harder to stop the puck. You're bound to improve.

 

 

I got a Senergy Si-Core for my birthday and I can get puck up on the wresters but my SLAP SHOT STINKS PLEASE GIVE ME ADVICE ON THAT. THANKS
Cade

 

Hi Cade:
Practice your slap shot! You need to work on your shot every chance you get. You will use your wrist or snap shot more than your slap shot. The slap shot is a tough shot. It takes timing, positioning, keeping your eyes on the puck and picking a spot at the net - all at the same time. Put all of these together and you'll have your slap shot! Practice, practice!

 

 
O’Ree Archive
About Willie O’Ree

Although he played only 45 games over parts of two seasons with the Boston Bruins, William (Willie) O’Ree is remembered as the first black player in the history of the National Hockey League.

A 5'10", 180-pound left wing, O’Ree played two games for the Bruins in 1957-58 and 43 more in 1960-61. He was known for his exceptional speed and his checking ability. Even though he didn't play regularly in the NHL, Willie did have an extraordinarily long professional career - 21 seasons, mostly in the old Western League with the Los Angeles Blades and the San Diego Gulls, despite losing vision in his right eye in a junior hockey game when he was 21.

Born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on Canada's Atlantic coast, O’Ree was an outstanding athlete as a youngster, excelling at hockey, rugby, soccer, basketball, track and baseball. A shortstop, he was invited to training camp with the Milwaukee Braves in 1956.

After O’Ree's professional hockey career ended in 1979, he became a supervisor for a company that handled security for the San Diego Chargers and later worked security at the spectacular Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego harbor.

O’Ree began doing promotional work in 1990 for the International Hockey League's San Diego Gulls. Six years later, he was asked by the NHL to assist with an All-Star Game designed to celebrate hockey's growing diversity.

Now in its seventh year, the Willie O’Ree All-Star Game honors O’Ree's career and allows selected boys and girls, ages 10-12, from each of the NHL Diversity programs across North America to interact with NHL players, attend an NHL game, and experience the culture of -the host city. In addition, the youngsters take part in a co-ed all-star game of their own featuring an east-versus-west format. In March 2002, more than 4,000 fans attended the Seventh Annual Willie O’Ree All-Star Game, hosted by the NHL and the Columbus Blues Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The NHL and Minnesota Wild will host the Eighth Annual Willie O’Ree All-Star Weekend in St. Paul, Minn., February 22-24, 2003.

O’Ree re-joined the NHL on January 18, 1998, the 40th anniversary of his first game in the NHL. As part of the 1998 NHL All-Star Weekend festivities, the NHL announced his appointment as the Director of Youth Development for NHL Diversity.

Now 67 years old, O’Ree and his wife and daughter reside in San Diego, Calif.